February 2007 Simple & Delicious Plus

Short & Sweet Desserts

When you're in a pinch to "wow" your guests with a delicious dessert, these quick recipes all have 5 ingredients or less. That makes it easy to check your pantry for everyday items to pull together something sweet.

Refreshing pineapple bits add tropical flair to this fluffy dessert from Ozela Haynes of Emerson, Arkansas. Fluffy Pineapple Pie is very light, and it isn't overly sweet. Plus it's a cinch to make!

A co-worker brought Nutty Peach Crisp to work, and Nancy Carpenter of Sidney, Montana couldn't resist asking for the recipe. A moist bottom layer made with canned peaches and a boxed cake mix is covered with a lovely golden topping of coconut and pecans. This easy, delicious dessert tastes wonderful served warm with ice cream.

Laurie Knoke of DeKalb, Illinois enjoyed some rich, buttery cookies at a bed-and-breakfast in Galena, Illinois. The hostess was kind enough to share her simple recipe for Scandinavian Pecan Cookies. The pretty nut-topped treats are so special you could give a home-baked batch as a gift.

Chocolate Berry Parfaits is a creamy dessert that's easy to make for weekday dinners, yet pretty enough for company. Lynn McAllister of Mt. Ulla, North Carolina layers instant chocolate pudding with a mixture of pureed strawberries and whipped cream to create yummy parfaits. For quicker results, use whipped topping rather than whipping cream…or serve in a single bowl.

A touch of sweet white wine and citrus makes this lovely Pear Sorbet so refreshing. You can use canned pears when fresh ones aren't available. Deirdre Dee Cox of Milwaukee, Wisconsin also recommends substituting lime juice for lemon.